Omicron: U.S., UK, other advanced economies hoarded COVID-19 vaccines, Lai Mohammed says
Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed says only equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines by all countries will ensure eradication of the pandemic.
Mr Mohammed made this call in Madrid, Spain on Wednesday during 24th General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), statement by ministry of information and culture stated.
The minister blamed the UK, U.S. and other advanced economies for hijacking the most doses of COVID-19 vaccines available, leaving poorer countries with little or no supplies.
”Even before the clinical trials were completed, millions of doses of the most promising vaccines have been bought by Britain, U.S., Japan and the European block countries. Some of these countries bought doses five times the size of their population,” Mr Mohammed said.
“There are fears that these unilateral deals will deprive the poorest countries of access to these life-saving commodities.”
Mr Mohammed spoke against the backdrop of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 which is spreading across the globe. He said that Nigeria and other developing countries have been left behind in the vaccines drive.
“Whereas most developed countries have already vaccinated 60 per cent and above of their population, most developing countries are currently below five per cent. My country, Nigeria, the largest economy in Africa, has just vaccinated only about three per cent of our population,” Mr Mohammed said.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Husband of missing police officer seeks IGP’s intervention
The husband said Mrs Ruth and four of her colleagues went missing on February 13 after an ambush during their official assignment to Abia.
World
Cardiologist gets four-year jail term over deaths of two patients
The cardiologist was found guilty of manslaughter by a court in Berlin after determining he was responsible for killing the two patients.
NationWide
Suleja Jailbreak: Coalition seeks tight security measures, modernisation of custodial facilities
The coalition said there was an urgent need to examine the root causes of jailbreaks and other related issues bedevilling the country’s custodial facilities.
World
Iran arresting, detaining women over head covering: UN
The country’s morality police had announced stricter checks some weeks ago, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said.
World
Ukraine receives bodies of 140 fallen soldiers from Russia
It is not yet known whether and how many dead soldiers Russia has received from Ukraine.
Education
ASUU urges Sokoto govt to pay state varsity workers’ outstanding allowances
The ASUU-SSU also called on the Sokoto State government to settle the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) owed to its members.